Product Information

Publisher's Description

▼▲

What if building the right church depends on using all the wrong people?

Imagine. Churches not built on the greatest talent, the finest facilities, or the most exceptional programs. Instead, churches that come together to unleash every single person to impact the world with the Spirit of God for the glory of God.

Its a radical idea.

Author Bio

▼▲

Dr. David Platt, President of the International Mission Board, is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. Davids first love in ministry is making disciples, sharing, showing, and teaching Gods Word in everyday life. He has traveled extensively to serve alongside church leaders throughout the United States and around the world. A life-long learner, David has earned two undergraduate and three advanced degrees. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (A.B.J.) from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics, Staff Evangelist at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, and eight years as the Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. David founded Radical (Radical.net), a ministry devoted to serving churches and disseminating disciple-making resources toward the end that the gospel might be made known in all nations. David and his wife Heather have four children, Caleb, Joshua, Mara Ruth, and Isaiah.

Most ideal Christians want to see the church operate in its purest form... with no overhead. It sounds like a great concept -- one I am often tempted to try. A lot of the low budget churches I know are not compelling enough to stay in operation.

At the same time, many extravagant churches are over the top in their Hollywood style approach. It's all about putting the right people on stage to wow the masses... "cool churches" for "cool people."

Frankly, I think we need all kinds of churches... even like the two I just described.

Platt's Radical Idea book is great in theory... but the reason I think it's so short is because it's not entirely practical. And, a church can have the lights, camera, action a

Preach AND be effective at "discipleship." in the same way, a very humble (in facilities and staff) church can also "work."

Read this book if you want to create a no-frills church or group. Platt will inspire you to be empowered as a believer... without waiting for the "professional Christian" to do the work for you. My only caution is this: DON't US THIS BOOK AS A WEAPON AGAINST PEOPLE WHO SERVE OR ATTEND A "GLAMOROUS" CHURCH.

Maybe, you're looking for a way to do more than attend some church... this book will give you the courage to try.

For those interested in disseminating David Platt's Radical paradigm, A Radical Idea is a helpful abridgment of Radical Together. This handy booklet provides nuance and communal application that makes this book an important read for those desiring to live a radical cross-centered life. A Radical Idea offers a helpful framework and encouragement for living the life that God has called you to live. Platt's passion and clear writing style makes this booklet easily accessible and potentially life altering. So purchase a 10-Pack and pass it on to others.

A special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, who graciously provided a complementary copy of this book for review.

Well... This was a small (about 60 pages) booklet written by David Platt. I tremendously enjoyed "Radical" and have been looking forward to reading "Radical Together."

Judging from the cover of this booklet, I assumed that the contents might largely be drawn from "Radical Together," but I was surprised to find that much of the content was found in the original "Radical."

I really didn't get the purpose of the booklet... It appears that it is meant to be passed out in order to generate interest for Dr. Platt's other books. If so, it is a good (quick) introduction to the message of the original book.

However, the new point of the little book is fairly obvious: that God intends to use people in the church. I understand that Dr. Platt is trying to draw a distinction between "professional ministry leaders" and "lay-people"...but seriously, where did the professionals come from? We aren't growing them in secret labs in the basement of our seminaries and Bible colleges. All ministry professionals were, at one time, lay-people! Those church members who are content to sit back and not actually do anything probably have a bigger spiritual issue than just an absence of the realization that they, too, can serve in the church.

If the book was intended as an interest-grabber for the other Radical titles, then it hit its mark fairly well. But, as a stand-alone additional concept to add to the other titles, it is rather disappointing.

I was given 10 of these copies in a bundle from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.